Gallbladder surgery, usually laparoscopic cholecystectomy, removes the gallbladder for selected people with symptomatic stones or gallbladder disease. Stones found incidentally do not always need treatment. The key is whether symptoms, examination, imaging and blood tests form a consistent diagnosis.
YOUR SURGEON
Who treats this at Lotus
General & Laparoscopic Surgery
Dr. Somyaa Khuller
Also listed as Dr. Sowmya Khullar
- Qualifications
- MBBS, DNB, FMAS, FIAGES, FALS (Hernia)
- Experience
- 16 years overall; 13 as specialist
- Fee
- ₹700
- Languages
- Hindi, English
- Registration
- KMC 79473
★ 97% (112 votes) on Practo
Hernia · Gallbladder stones · Appendix pain · Piles and fissure
General & Laparoscopic Surgery
Dr. Shiva Kumar
Also listed as Dr. Shivakumar
- Qualifications
- MBBS, DNB (General Surgery), FMAS
- Experience
- 25 years overall; 13 as specialist
- Fee
- ₹700
- Registration
- KMC 61127
★ 90% (71 votes) on Practo
Hernia · Gallbladder and abdominal surgery · Piles and anorectal problems · Lumps and swellings
COST IN BANGALORE
How much does gallbladder surgery cost in Bangalore?
₹55,000 to ₹1,32,000Bengaluru market range · HexaHealth — Laparoscopic cholecystectomy cost in Bangalore ↗ · as of 2026-10-14
Typical hospital stay: About 2 days
Bengaluru market estimate for laparoscopic cholecystectomy, as published by HexaHealth (average ₹99,000). Credihealth’s Bangalore estimate (about ₹68,500 to ₹1,37,000) is broadly similar. This is not a Lotus quote. Ask the Lotus team for an itemised estimate for your case and insurance.
What is included, excluded and what changes the price →INSURANCE & CASHLESS
Using health insurance at Lotus
Lotus works with health insurers and TPAs for cashless and reimbursement claims. Share your policy details before a planned admission and the care team checks eligibility and pre-authorisation for you.
Symptoms and diagnosis
Typical biliary pain is often felt in the upper abdomen and may follow food, but symptoms vary and other digestive, liver, heart or musculoskeletal conditions can mimic it. Ultrasound commonly identifies stones and inflammation; blood tests help assess infection, liver or pancreatic involvement.
Persistent pain with fever, jaundice, repeated vomiting or marked illness needs prompt assessment because a stone may be causing inflammation or blockage.
- Pain timing and location
- Ultrasound findings
- Liver and inflammatory tests
- Jaundice or pancreatitis risk
- Alternative causes
- Urgency of treatment
When surgery is discussed
Surgery is commonly considered for recurrent symptomatic stones, gallbladder inflammation or related complications. Observation may be reasonable for some incidental, asymptomatic stones. Medicines do not reliably solve most symptomatic gallstone disease.
The surgeon should explain why removing the gallbladder is likely to address the symptoms and acknowledge uncertainty if the symptom pattern is atypical.
- Frequency and severity of episodes
- Complication history
- Health and anaesthetic risk
- Alternative explanations
- Benefits of surgery
- Consequences of waiting
Procedure, risks and alternatives
The gallbladder is usually removed through laparoscopic incisions. Conversion to open surgery may be required for safety. Material risks include bleeding, infection, bile leak, injury to the bile duct or nearby organs, clots and persistent symptoms.
Ask whether additional bile-duct imaging or endoscopic treatment may be needed and how pathology results will be communicated.
- Laparoscopic plan
- Conversion possibility
- Bile-duct considerations
- Anaesthesia
- Pathology review
- Complication management
Recovery
Patients receive guidance on diet, wounds, pain relief, activity and work. Most people can live without a gallbladder, although bowel pattern or food tolerance may change temporarily.
Increasing pain, fever, jaundice, persistent vomiting, abdominal swelling, wound discharge, chest pain or breathlessness requires prompt advice.
- Diet progression
- Wound care
- Movement and lifting
- Medicine use
- Warning signs
- Follow-up
Medical information is general and does not replace an individual consultation.
PATIENT QUESTIONS
Gallbladder Surgery: questions patients ask
Do gallstones always need surgery?
No. Gallstones found by chance that cause no symptoms often do not need treatment. Surgery to remove the gallbladder is usually advised after episodes of biliary pain, inflammation of the gallbladder, pancreatitis caused by stones or stones in the bile duct. Your surgeon will weigh your symptoms, scan findings and overall health.
What is laparoscopic cholecystectomy?
Laparoscopic cholecystectomy is keyhole surgery to remove the gallbladder through a few small cuts using a camera and fine instruments. It is the most common way to treat symptomatic gallstones. Most patients have less pain and a quicker recovery than with open surgery, although conversion to open surgery is sometimes needed for safety.
Can I live normally without a gallbladder?
Yes. The liver continues to make bile, which flows directly into the intestine. Most people return to a normal diet. Some notice looser stools or discomfort after fatty meals for a while, which usually settles. Your doctor can advise on diet if symptoms persist.
How long is recovery after gallbladder surgery?
After laparoscopic surgery, many patients stay in hospital for about one to two days. Light activities usually resume within a week or two, and most people return to desk work within about two weeks. Heavy lifting should wait until your surgeon advises. Recovery after open surgery takes longer.
What are the warning signs after gallbladder surgery?
Contact your surgeon or seek urgent care for increasing abdominal pain, fever or chills, yellowing of the skin or eyes, persistent vomiting, a swollen abdomen, redness or discharge from the wounds, or dark urine with pale stools. These can indicate a bile leak, a retained stone or infection and need prompt assessment.
How much does gallbladder surgery cost in Bangalore?
The cost depends on whether the gallbladder is inflamed, the need for additional procedures, the room category and the stay. Published Bengaluru market estimates are a useful starting point, but they vary between sources and hospitals. Ask a Lotus surgeon for a written, itemised estimate after assessment.
Is gallbladder surgery covered by health insurance?
Most health policies cover gallbladder removal for medical reasons, though many apply a waiting period for gallstone disease. Lotus works with many insurers and TPAs; share your policy details with the care team before admission so eligibility and pre-authorisation can be checked, and confirm cashless approval in advance.
How do I consult a surgeon for gallstones at Lotus?
Book online with a surgeon listed on the General & Laparoscopic Surgery page, send a WhatsApp message, or call the care team on +91 80505 98999. Bring your ultrasound and blood reports. The surgeon will explain whether surgery is needed and how to prepare if it is.
LOCATION & DIRECTIONS
Getting to Lotus Hospital, HSR Layout
Lotus Multi Speciality Hospital
2361, 24th Main Road, 1st Sector, HSR Layout, Bengaluru, Karnataka 560102
Near Bangalore One, HSR Layout 1st Sector
Open 24 hours, 7 days · OPD timings vary by doctor
Lotus is on 24th Main Road in Sector 1, near Bangalore One. Autos and cabs can drop at the entrance on 24th Main.
Head into HSR Sector 1 from the Agara Lake side of the Outer Ring Road and continue to 24th Main Road.
Take the Sarjapur Road or 27th Main HSR approach towards Sector 1, then turn onto 24th Main Road.
Travel along the Outer Ring Road towards Agara, enter HSR Layout Sector 1 and continue to 24th Main Road.
Use the Outer Ring Road from Silk Board towards HSR Layout and turn into Sector 1.
Cross from Hosur Road into HSR Layout through the Sector 7 side and continue north to Sector 1.
Come towards Agara and the Outer Ring Road junction, then into HSR Layout Sector 1.
Take Hosur Road to Silk Board, then the Outer Ring Road into HSR Layout. Best for planned visits.
Travel time changes with traffic. Check live directions before you leave and allow time for registration.